While fans pack the stands of Fenway Park for ballgames and concerts in the spring and summer months, many do not realize the roof of the park is packed with something else, fresh fruits and vegetables.

For years Linda Henry of Fenway Sports Group, the owners of the Boston Red Sox, would look out at the stadium’s plain dark roof as she walked the hallways. She would think to herself, ‘we could do something with that.’

Henry, who grew up gardening, approached the facilities team with an idea. Not long after, Fenway Farms was born. Over the last decade, tomatoes, peppers, kale and much more have been growing in hundreds of milk crates above the playing field. Everything grown is used in the ballpark’s food stands and restaurants.

The Red Sox partnered with Green City Growers, a Boston-based gardening company focused on urban food system transformation, to maintain the farm.

On Wednesday, September 24, a gathering was held at Fenway Park to celebrate the farm reaching a decade in operation.

“We really wanted to show that you didn't need an expensive setup, something really complicated or even a lot of space or even a yard to produce fresh food on your own in a really accessible way,” said Henry. “Milk crates, simple liner and soil. That’s it.”

Henry said Fenway Farms has inspired the creation of many other rooftop farms across the country.

“This farm is a symbol of what is possible on a local level,” said Green City Growers Chief Executive Officer Chris Grallert.

Grallert said the farm promotes eating locally, keeps Fenway Park cooler in temperature and helps with stormwater prevention in the Fenway neighborhood.

“There’s not a lot of places where you have the chef coordinating with the farmer exactly what to grow and when to grow it,” said Grallert. “We need to join arms, get lockstep and figure out how to reinvigorate this local food system.”

“We've done so much to preserve and maintain the character, the historic nature of the park,” said Henry. “We are constantly building on that foundation by innovating, adapting, investing and finding ways to make this place better and better serve our community.”

A second Fenway Farms has opened on a previously empty roof at the Boston Children’s Museum. There, children are educated about topics like photosynthesis and teachers take home kits allowing them to start growing food in classrooms.

“Fenway Park leads the way in showing what sustainability can look like in sports,” said Henry.

Henry and Grallert agreed that the farm has become a fan favorite part of ballpark tours. “Guests that come to see the history of this ballpark don’t expect to see tomatoes growing,” said Henry.